The Consultation Psychologist applies advanced professional psychological diagnostic methods and evidence-based intervention strategies to a full spectrum of patient problems. Applies advanced knowledge of psychosocial diagnostic assessment and behavioral health therapeutic interventions to provide advice and consultation to professionals representing a variety of disciplines. This position is assigned to the Consultation/Liaison team within the Behavioral Health Service Line.

Duties

Clinical Responsibilities: Provides psychological, diagnostic, brief neuropsychological, and capacity assessment services to Veterans admitted to VAPHS acute medicine units with relevant recommendations. Provides a full range of psychological interventions consistent with training and expertise, with special emphasis on evidenced-based interventions that promote adjustment to medical diagnosis and hospitalization, treat emotional disturbance related to medical conditions and procedures, enhance medical compliance, etc. Develops, implements, and documents the assessment, treatment, and recommendations for assigned caseload of Veterans. Promotes communication between medical team members, patients, and their families to facilitate the medical treatment process. Collaborates with acute medicine social work in conducting suicide risk assessments. Provides education to patients, family members, and significant others related to psychological and emotional conditions as well as recommendations for mental health care in the next setting. Creates, implements, and evaluates behavioral management plans to address disruptive behaviors in the acute medical setting including education to and support for medical staff to promote the most effective medical care. Serves as a member of Code Blue team and responds to codes in acute medicine. Contributes Subject Matter Expertise to acute medicine teams, Behavioral Health clinics and others regarding intersection of medical issues, mental health diagnoses, and general psychosocial wellness. Supports and contributes to existing Behavioral Health programs and clinical initiatives as indicated. Functions independently as a member of the VAPHS medical staff, with full clinical privileges. Academic/Teaching/Training: Adheres to operational policies and procedures for the acute medicine teams and the BHSL Consultation/Liaison service. Assists the assigned Program Manager/Psychology Supervisor and C/L Section Chief in the execution of ongoing program evaluation and data-driven quality improvement projects to monitor the effectiveness of assigned clinical programs. Attends and participates in administrative and informational meetings held by the Behavioral Health Service Line, medical units, and facility director. May be involved in Psychology Training Program and Training Committee, including facilitating or presenting to interns in venues such as case conferences and training seminars. May be assigned to supervision of psychology predoctoral interns and psychology postdoctoral fellows. Attends monthly Psychology Service Clinical Training Committee meetings and intern supervisory staff meetings as required. Participates and complies with Psychology peer review procedures, including serving on the Peer Review Subcommittee Review Board as needed or required. Administrative/Program Evaluation/Outcome Measurement/Research : Assists the assigned Program Manager/Psychology Supervisor in the design, development, and implementation of clinical programs for assigned medical units. Adheres to operational policies and procedures for the treatment team, established by the affiliated Medicine Service Line and Behavioral Health Service Line managers. Facilitates liaisons with other health care programs in order to effectively coordinate services. Complies with national and local performance measures, including timely health care screening and completion of clinical reminders for all patient and adherence to behavioral medicine-specific competencies. Complies with all CPRS documentation procedures, including timeliness standards for documentation and proper patient check out procedures (e.g., entering diagnostic and procedure codes). Provides leadership guidance and consultation, particularly in the area of diagnosis and treatment of mental health issues among persons with acute medical illness. Attends regularly scheduled interdisciplinary meetings in assigned medical units as needed. Serves as a consultant to other Behavioral Health staff and trainees and assists in their biopsychosocial formulation and appropriate treatment expectations regarding Veterans with chronic and/or complex problems and limitations. Work Schedule: 8:00am-4:30pm Compressed/Flexible:Not Authorized Telework: Telework Eligible Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: Psychologist GS-180-00 # 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact , the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Education: Have a doctoral degree in psychology from a graduate program in psychology accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA), the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS), or the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) at the time the program was completed. The specialty area of the degree must be consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed. For the purpose of meeting this requirement, the term "specialty area" refers to the specific specialty areas recognized by the accrediting body and not to specific job duties that might require special skills. Currently, APA accredits doctoral programs in the specialty areas of clinical psychology, counseling psychology, school psychology, or combinations of two or more of those areas. PCSAS accredits doctoral programs in psychological clinical science. CPA accredits doctoral programs in clinical psychology, counseling psychology, clinical neuropsychology, and school psychology. There are no job assignments in VHA that require the skills of a school psychologist; therefore, an applicant with a degree in the specialty area of school psychology is not eligible for appointment. Strictly for the purpose of determining eligibility for appointment as a psychologist in VHA, there is no distinction between the specialty areas (with the exception of school psychology) OR; Have a doctoral degree in any area of psychology and, in addition, successfully complete a re-specialization program (including documentation of an approved internship completed as part of the re-specialization program) meeting both of the following conditions: (1) The re-specialization program must be completed in an APA or a CPA accredited doctoral program; and, (2) The specialty in which the applicant is retrained must be consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed. NOTE: The applicant must provide an official transcript and/or certificate documenting the completion of the re-specialization program, which includes completion of an APA or CPA internship OR; Have a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 from a regionally-accredited institution, with a dissertation primarily psychological in nature. Internship: Have successfully completed a professional psychology internship training program that was accredited by APA or CPA at the time the program was completed and that is consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed OR; New VHA psychology internship programs that are in the process of applying for APA accreditation are acceptable in fulfillment of the internship requirement, provided that such programs were sanctioned by the VHA Central Office Program Director for Psychology and the VHA Office of Academic Affiliations at the time that the individual was an intern ORVHA facilities that offered full-time, one-year pre-doctoral internships prior to PL 96-151 (pre-1979) are considered to be acceptable in fulfillment of the internship requirement OR; Applicants who completed an internship that was not accredited by APA or CPA at the time the program was completed may be considered eligible for hire only if they are currently board certified by the American Board of Professional Psychology in a specialty area that is consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed. (NOTE: Once board certified, the employee is required to maintain board certification.) OR; Applicants who have a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 from a regionally accredited institution with a dissertation primarily psychological in nature may fulfill this internship requirement by having the equivalent of a one-year supervised internship experience in a site specifically acceptable to the candidate's doctoral program. If the internship experience is not noted on the applicant's official transcript, the applicant must provide a statement from the doctoral program verifying that the equivalent of a one-year supervised internship experience was completed in a site acceptable to the doctoral program. Licensure: Hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to practice psychology at the doctoral level in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or the District of Columbia. English Language Proficiency: Psychologists must be proficient in spoken and written English May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: GS:13 Experience: At least two years of experience as a professional psychologist, with at least one year equivalent to the GS-12 grade level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Knowledge of, and ability to apply, advanced professional psychological theories and techniques to the full range of Veteran populations. Ability to provide professional advice and consultation in areas related to professional psychology and behavioral health. Knowledge of clinical research literature. Ability to provide supervision in areas related to behavioral health and social services provisions in order to accomplish the organizational goals and objectives. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G18.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-11 to GS-13. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-13. Physical Requirements: Light to moderate lifting, up to 44 pounds; light carrying, under 15 pounds; reaching above shoulder, use of both hands and fingers required, walking/standing 6-8 hours; both legs required; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; both eyes required; depth perception; ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing (aid permitted); emotional stability; ability to work alone.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address Pittsburgh VA Medical Center 1010 Delafield Road Pittsburgh, PA 15215 US
• Name: Jonathan Davis
• Phone: 405-439-1259
• Email: [email protected]